Every parliamentary written question tabled by Lee Anderson this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 221–240 of 1,340 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) cultural and (b) arts related projects have received UK foreign aid funding in the last year.
The Hon Member can find details of all projects funded through Official Development Assistance on the Development Tracker website.
Innovation and Technology, what recent estimate she has made of the level of digital exclusion in the UK.
Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily.But we know some people face real barriers. In 2025, 5% of UK adults were offline and many homes don’t have a suitable device: 6% of UK households didn’t have a smartphone, and 26% didn’t have a laptop. Whilst 8% of adults in the UK lack the essential digital skills for life.That's why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan, and why we’re now delivering the foundations: better connectivity with a range of affordable options, direct support to build digital access, skills and confidence in communities across the UK, and more devices reaching people who need them. The Government is clear that everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – and more is needed to ensure this.Findings from DSIT’s Public Engagement Survey, which will be published in summer 2026, will provide updated, high-quality evidence on the incidence and drivers of digital exclusion across the UK.
What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of guidelines on support for SEND children in the mainstream education system.
To support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), we will help mainstream settings to make the necessary changes to embed inclusive practice. We will develop new National Inclusion Standards to bring greater clarity and evidence to this space. These will set out, for the first time, support that should be available in every mainstream setting, and we will appoint an expert panel to develop and make recommendations regarding the content of the National Inclusion Standards. The SEND Code of Practice provides statutory guidance for organisations supporting children with SEND. We have committed to updating the Code to reflect changes in the SEND system and findings of recent independent scrutiny, including from the Education Select Committee. The updated Code will clarify responsibilities for mainstream settings and establish a consistent approach to supporting children with SEND. We are consulting on proposals to reform the SEND system, and the consultation is accessible at: https://consult.education.gov.uk/send-strategy-division/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-firs/. We will undertake a separate, full public consultation on the proposed changes to the Code of Practice to reflect best practice and the views of children and young people, families and professionals.
If he will commit to increasing domestic steel production.
The steel strategy, to be published in early 2026, will set out a long-term vision for a competitive, decarbonised sector, with the aim of attracting new private investment to secure UK steelmaking and increasing overall levels of UK based production.We’re providing up to £2.5 billion to rebuild the steel sector, delivered in part through the National Wealth Fund. This is in addition to the £500m we have invested in the transformation of Port Talbot. We have also taken direct action to protect steel production at British Steel and provided a £400 million increase to the investment at Sheffield Forgemasters.
Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to reduce digital exclusion.
Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily.But we know some people face real barriers. In 2025, 5% of UK adults were offline and many homes don’t have a suitable device: 6% of UK households didn’t have a smartphone, and 26% didn’t have a laptop. Whilst 8% of adults in the UK lack the essential digital skills for life.That's why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan, and why we’re now delivering the foundations: better connectivity with a range of affordable options, direct support to build digital access, skills and confidence in communities across the UK, and more devices reaching people who need them. The Government is clear that everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – and more is needed to ensure this.Findings from DSIT’s Public Engagement Survey, which will be published in summer 2026, will provide updated, high-quality evidence on the incidence and drivers of digital exclusion across the UK.
What discussions her Department has had with relevant stakeholders in education to discuss antisocial behaviour amongst school children.
The department engages regularly with teachers and headteachers and their representative bodies on a range of issues, including pupil behaviour.All schools are required by law to have a behaviour policy which outlines effective strategies that encourage good behaviour.The department’s existing ‘Behaviour in schools’ guidance states that schools should make clear to pupils that good behaviour does not end at the school gate. Schools have the power to sanction pupils for misbehaviour outside of the school premises to a reasonable extent.To support schools, the department is establishing 93 new regional improvements for standards and excellence Attendance and Behaviour Hubs. These hubs will be led by schools with excellent attendance and behaviour practice which will work closely with other schools to help improve their approach.
What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of costs for businesses on unemployment levels.
Economic growth is this government’s number one priority. Businesses have choices about how they respond to changes in their costs, including through adjusting profits, prices, and patterns of employment, meaning employment is not mechanically affected by any increase in costs. The OBR’s November forecast, which accounts for the impacts of government policy, judge that employment will increase in every year of the forecast, and will be higher in every year, than in their Spring 2025 forecast.
Whether his Department hold data on the number of foreign nationals who have received legal aid.
This information requested is not held centrally.
If his Department will provide an estimate of the total cost of legal aid for foreign nationals in the last 5 years.
This information requested is not held centrally.
What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of her policies on levels of unemployment.
Economic growth is this government’s number one priority. The OBR’s November forecast, which accounts for the impacts of government policy, judges that employment will increase in every year of the forecast, and will be higher in every year than in their Spring 2025 forecast.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of employer costs on recruitment freezes the private sector.
Economic growth is this government’s number one priority. The OBR’s November forecast, which accounts for the impacts of government policy, judge that employment will increase in every year of the forecast, and will be higher in every year, than in their Spring 2025 forecast.
What steps he is taking to help tackle (a) unemployment rates and (b) job displacement.
Economic growth is this Government’s first mission; we are committed to creating good jobs, helping more people into work and raising living standards. DWP is tackling unemployment by reshaping our employment support offer to break down barriers related to skills, health and progression. For example, we are transforming our Jobcentres into a modern Jobs and Careers Service; ensuring support for young people through our flagship Youth Guarantee; empowering local areas to explore new ways to reduce economic inactivity through youth and inactivity trailblazers; and, developing tailored support for those with health conditions and disabilities. To adapt and mitigate the risk of job displacement, this Government is driving a programme to manage AI driven labour market shifts, supported by the newly established AI and Future of Work Unit, which monitors emerging trends and coordinates the policy response across government. This Government is investing £187 million in digital and AI learning as well as working towards training 7.5 million workers in essential AI skills by 2030 through joint work between Skills England and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. This is in conjunction with a range of wider reskilling opportunities, such as Sector Based Work Academy Programme (SWAPs) which provides opportunities to those who are looking to change career or sectors through providing placements for pre-employment training, a work experience placement and a guaranteed interview for a real job.
Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure people in rural communities can access library services.
The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 requires all local authorities in England to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. Each local authority is responsible for assessing the needs of their local communities and designing a library service to meet those needs within their available resources. Library service provision, including the number and location of static libraries, should take account of factors such as the rurality of the area and the availability and cost of public transport links. The statutory library provision in Nottinghamshire is delivered from 58 static libraries, as well as a mobile library service, consisting of three library vehicles, and a home library service. The Libraries Improvement Fund which enables library services to upgrade buildings and technology so they are better placed to respond to the changing ways people are using them, has, since June 2021, provided nearly £400,000 to support various projects in Nottinghamshire libraries, including self-service technology in Huthwaite.
What steps he is taking to encourage inwards direct investment.
Growth is this Government’s central economic mission. We have set out a long-term Industrial Strategy and Infrastructure Strategy to give investors the certainty they need to commit capital to the UK. A stable policy environment, competitive tax system and clear long-term planning underpin that confidence.The enhanced Office for Investment works across Government to secure high-value investment, offering tailored support, removing barriers and fast-tracking investment decisions, including through the concierge and triage services. We have also mobilised the Global Talent Taskforce to attract world-class expertise to the UK. Together, these measures are driving inward investment and growth across the whole of the United Kingdom.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of minimum wage changes on employment opportunities for 18-20 year olds.
We remain committed to removing discriminatory adult age band. From 1 April, the National Minimum Wage rate for 18 to 20 year olds will increase by 8.5 per cent, continuing to narrow the gap with the National Living Wage and moving towards a single adult rate.The Department has published an Impact Assessment providing a comprehensive analysis of the 2026 National Minimum Wage rates.
What procedures are in place to help prevent the inward transmission of diseases to through international airports.
The UK Biological Security Strategy provides the overarching national strategic framework for biological risks.The Public Health Aircraft Regulations (1979) require commanders of incoming aircraft to notify authorities if there is any suspicion of infectious disease. In England, Port Health Authorities and local authorities have statutory responsibility for public health, which includes ensuring that arrangements are in place to help prevent the inward transmission of disease entering their respective ports. An example is monitoring vector control measures such as disinsection, or the measures to kill insect vectors of human disease.In English airports, the authorities appoint Medical Officers responsible for notifying, coordinating, investigating, and responding to public health risks in collaboration with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) regional health protection teams. UKHSA regional health protection teams plan for and respond to incidents for health hazards at ports of entry, supported by the national UKHSA Border Health team. Assessment, treatment, and care of patients is undertaken by the National Health Service through routine pathways.Additional proportionate measures may be put in place in response to significant incidents or outbreaks which are coordinated nationally. Pre-entry screening for tuberculosis (TB) is also compulsory for those who wish to stay in the United Kingdom for over six months and are travelling from a country where TB is common. Information on TB Screening for the UK is published at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-tb-screening-for-the-uk-leaflet/tb-screening-for-the-uk
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government it taking to strengthen international relations with Japan.
The UK-Japan bilateral relationship is at its strongest in decades, underpinned by our enhanced Global Strategic Partnership. As the Prime Minister set out in his statement to the House on 2 February, our priorities for deepening our partnership further include working together for peace and security and boosting growth and resilience through cooperation in tech and innovation, energy, and trade. I also refer him to the details of my own visit to Japan in December, including the speech I made to the Tokyo Economic Security Forum on 15 December.www.gov.uk/government/news/indo-pacific-minister-seema-malhotra-visits-japanwww.gov.uk/government/speeches/tokyo-economic-security-forum-keynote-address
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of digital health forms on elderly people's access to health services.
National Health Service organisations must ensure all patients have equitable access to care, and that decisions or policies do not unfairly disadvantage people or lead to an increase in inequalities. All NHS organisations are legally obliged to not discriminate.This means that although we promote digital first services to those who choose to use them, a non-digital solution should be available for those patients who cannot or do not wish to engage digitally, which may include elderly people, to ensure continued, equitable access to care.These non-digital routes must be available for all services provided by NHS organisations.
Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to support elderly people with technology.
Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily.But we know some people face real barriers and older people are more likely to be offline: data from 2025 shows that 13% of adults aged 65+ did not have home internet access, compared to 3% of adults aged 16-64.That’s why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and launched the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund - helping more people, including older people, across the UK get the access, skills and confidence to get online. We are also committed to making digital public services simple and accessible for everyone, by working on renewed digital standards for essential public services and stronger accountability, alongside well‑supported offline routes.In February, major telecoms providers signed a new charter to end unexpected mid-contract price rises and make social tariffs easier to access, helping millions manage living costs.
Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of economic deprivation on digital exclusion.
Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily.But we know some people face barriers - and digital exclusion is more prominent amongst those of low income. Among those aged 16 or above, 17% of those that live in a household with an income below £10.4k did not have home internet access compared to 1% of those who live in a household with an income of £26k or above. That’s why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan, and why we’re now delivering the foundations.We launched the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, helping more people across the UK get the access, skills and confidence to get online. Earlier this month, major telecoms providers signed a new charter to end unexpected mid-contract price rises and make social tariffs easier to access, helping millions manage living costs. We are also getting more free devices in the hands of those that need them through government and industry device donation efforts.